Things to Do in Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke Things to Do

Traveling to southwest Virginia is a lovely experience. You’ll find beautiful views and rich history and, when you get to Roanoke, you’ll find plenty of things to do.

Roanoke Valley Visitor Information Center

Roanoke’s visitor’s center offers brochures for Roanoke and the greater Blue Ridge area. Staff here can assist with information on accommodations and highlight things to do. The building also houses the O Winston Link Museum. This museum honors the work of Ogle Winston Link, a renowned U.S. photographer, and highlights an excellent selection of his works. As a commercial photographer, Link helped establish rail photography as a hobby as well as pioneering night photography.

Virginia Museum of Transportation

One of the most popular attractions in Roanoke, The Virginia Museum of Transportation is a museum dedicated to the history of railroading in Roanoke and Southwestern Virginia. The museum has numerous exhibits about Virginia’s rail history, along with attractions for the kids. Railroads are the primary feature of the museum but there are also exhibits focused on other forms of transportation, including antique cars.

Explore Park

Explore Park features a collection of buildings from various eras in Western Virginia’s history. Home to dozens of relocated buildings from the 18^th and 19^th century, visitors can see what life was like. At this time admission to see the inside the buildings is not available, however, visitors can view the outside of buildings, walk the trails and enjoy numerous recreational opportunities in the park and on the Roanoke River. The park is undergoing a transformation so before you go check to see what new things are happening.

What Else to Do

While in town, also visit the Grandin Theatre, Science Museum of Western Virginia, St. Andrew Catholic Church (gothic architecture) and Center in the Square (you’ll find lots to see and do here). Mill Mountain Park is a great place to relax with a zoo and its other amenities. At night see the Roanoke Star, an 88-foot high manmade illuminated star on top of Mill Mountain, overlooking Roanoke. Some great views too! The highly scenic Blue Ridge Parkway runs through the region via Mill Mountain.

Downtown Roanoke has an inviting feel to it. Enjoy the local restaurants and then go into party mode at night. No, it’s not New York City or South Beach, but it’s a good time.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Roanoke.